Root Doctor releases new cd!!

[Jeff Konkel]

welcome, greg. 

the new root doctor CD really is excellent . . . here's what i wrote about
it on another board:

"Change Our Ways, the new CD from Root Doctor showed up in my mailbox
yesterday afternoon. I’ve had a chance to listen to it twice, and I’m
knocked out.

"On paper, Root Doctor shouldn’t really flip my switch. I prefer down home
blues, and these guys are clearly more “uptown.” My taste in R&B leans
toward southern soul, while these guys clearly draw a lot from their
Michigan predecessors. When it comes to jazz, I prefer the kind that borders
on avant garde, while Root Doctor clearly has a fondness for the smoky,
blues-based jazz of Jimmy Smith and Big John Patton.

"So why do I like this record so much? Because it absolutely bristles with
energy and intelligence. The band clearly has huge chops, and they’re not
afraid to show them off – but never at the expense of the music. The
songwriting is strong and varied and the performances are polished but never
sterile. There are hints of Albert King and the aforementioned Jimmy Smith,
but also Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge and even Mitch Ryder and the Detroit
Wheels!

"Highlights abound on this beautifully produced and brilliantly programmed
record. I’m particularly fond of “Give Me Love,” which plays like a rousing
R&B barnburner, but has a huge dose of country swagger to it. It’s not hard
to imagine Willie Nelson and his classic seventies band tackling this one.
Another favorite is “Lucky One,” co-written by our own Greg Nagy. This
beautiful, gospel-drenched ballad would fit perfectly on one of Solomon
Burke’s recent comeback records. "Big Blue Cadillac" is a slab of deep funk
featuring Greg's searing, Funkadelic-inspired guitar work and bruising horn
work from the Motor City Horns.

"Six of the ten tracks on Change Our Way are originals, but the four covers
are no mere filler. Warren Haynes’ beautiful “Soul Shine” is given an
anthemic arrangement, complete with an Allman-esque intro by Greg. You can
practically see the lighters waving in the dark during this one. But to me,
the most stunning cover on the record is Root Doctor’s goose bump-inducing
take on the Temptations classic “I Wish It Would Rain.” Its spare, piano-led
arrangement is tastefully augmented by mournful cello and violin, while lead
singer Freddie Cunningham delivers one of the most soulful vocals this side
of Muscle Shoals. Absolutely stunning.

"Very highly recommended. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna give this thing
a third spin . . ."

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